Covering comprising cover plates clamped to profiles

ABSTRACT

Covering that has a structure formed by multiple covering plates fixed by means of fasteners to longitudinal profiles each of which has a groove, the fasteners being located in the areas between the plates and the profiles of the guides, being simultaneously located within the cavities of the guide of the profiles and in a corresponding lodging of the plate, formed by a groove located in the side or lateral portion of the plate, fixing each fastener two contiguous plates and a profile, the fastener having dimensions that allow it to be turned in two positions when it is introduced in said guide, the fastener having at the same time an asymmetrical arrangement, in such a way that one of the rotation positions, that corresponds with the assembly position, the fastener enters in dimensional interference with the mentioned guide.

The present invention refers to a covering for surfaces.

More particularly, the present invention refers to a covering of the type that includes a plurality of covering elements, secured to multiple profiles placed in parallel arrangement by means of some fasteners, each inserted, simultaneously, in a longitudinal groove of the profile, and in a groove or lodging of the covering element.

Various coverings according to the previous description are known, for example, those disclosed by the patent documents FR2814184 and ES2285950. The document FR 2814184 discloses a covering comprising a structure formed by a plurality of covering plates having in their lower faces a guide formed by a groove leading to a cavity of greater dimensions, as to its cross section, than the opening pertaining to the groove, and longitudinal profiles perpendicular to the mentioned grooves of the plates, said profiles showing, as well, a profile guide formed by a groove that gives access to a cavity of greater dimensions, in cross section, than the groove, staying in the zones of intersection between the guides of the plates and the guides of the profiles some fasteners, simultaneously accommodated in cavities of both the guides of the plate and the profile. The fasteners, which cannot rotate inside the grooves, are secured by clipping, or elastic deformation of portions of the fastener into the groove and/or by means of screwing.

The Utility Model document ES 1029601U discloses a similar covering, with guides in the cover plates and in the longitudinal profiles, wherein the fastener is inserted into one of the guides by elastic deformation. The patent document ES 2285950 discloses a similar covering, but suitable for outdoors, leaving an opening between the plates for lodging the fasteners, that can slide along the guides of the longitudinal profiles. The upper part of the fasteners is lodged in grooves of the side portions of the plates or covering elements.

A problem associated with such coverings is the system for securing the fasteners. The fasteners must be secured in their position into one of the two grooves, to be able to further introduce them longitudinally into the other groove. To this end usually a screw or nail is utilized that secures the fastener to the profile. This gives rise to two problems. In the first place, the alignment of the fasteners must be very accurate. If it is not, the tight securement prevents adaptation and the fastener must be released and re-fitted. In the second place, as the fastener is so tightly secured, it may be necessary to break the covering elements for its removal in order to carry out, for example, maintenance or repair services. Additionally, being the fasteners so tightly fixed, the capability for absorbing movements due to thermal expansions or hygroscopic reasons is unnecessarily limited.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a covering providing a low cost solution to the above mentioned problems.

According to the present invention, the object is achieved by the provision of a dimensional interference between the fastener and one of the grooves into which it is introduced, when the fastener is introduced in the orientation corresponding to its installation. Such dimensional interference causes a pressure between the groove and the fastener retaining this latter in position. Furthermore, the present invention also provides that the fastener has an asymmetric structure, so that the dimensions of the fastener allow its rotation with respect to an axis which is perpendicular to the groove with which it dimensionally interferes, so that by rotation of the fastener the dimensional interference between the groove and the fastener is eliminated, allowing the fastener to slide freely.

More particularly, the present invention comprises a covering, comprising covering plates, fasteners and longitudinal profiles, wherein each profile is provided with a guide which is configured to cooperate with a fastener. The guide comprises a groove that gives access to a cavity of greater dimensions, in cross section, than the groove. A lateral edge of each plate is provided with a second groove wherein the fastener is configured to cooperate with the second groove to clamp the plate to the profile. The fastener has dimensions which permit a rotation between a first position and a second position when the fastener is lodged within said guide. The fastener comprises a first shape in a first crosscut and a second shape in a second crosscut. The second shape of the fastener enters in dimensional interference with said guide in the second position. The first shape of the fastener is in the first position displaceable along the profile. The first crosscut is preferably essentially perpendicular to the second crosscut.

The fastener comprises in a preferred embodiment a polymer material, preferably a thermoplastic material, such as PA (nylon), POM, PC, PP, PET or PE. The thermoplastic material may be reinforced by a reinforcing material, such as glass fibre, Kevlar fibre, carbon fibre, talk or chalk. The fastener is preferably made of an injection moulded thermoplastic material.

The present invention discloses a covering comprising a structure formed by a plurality of cover plates joined by means of fasteners to longitudinal profiles, having said profiles in turn a guide profile formed by a groove which gives access to a cavity of greater dimensions, as to its cross section, than the groove, remaining said fastener housed simultaneously in the areas of intersection between the plates and the profile guides housed in the cavities of the guide profile and in a corresponding housing of the plate, being said housing corresponding to the plate a groove located in the side portion of the plate, and each fastener joining two adjacent plates and one profile. The fastener has such dimensions that allow its rotation between two positions when it is inserted within said guide, the fastener having as well an asymmetrical shape, so that in one of the rotation positions, corresponding with the installation arrangement, the fastener enters in dimensional interference with the said guide, while in the other position of rotation, such interference does not occur, causing such interference a braking action against the movement of the fastener along the guide.

Thus, preferably, the fastener has two positions along two axes or planes, preferably perpendicular to each other. In the orientation corresponding to the first plane, the fastener enters one of the guides and slides longitudinally along the same and when it is rotated by 90° a dimensional interference is caused with said guide, tightening and locking said fastener. In certain embodiments, the rotation can also cause a tightening as to the groove of the plate.

Preferably, said dimensional interference causes the tightening between a wall defining the separation between the groove and the cavity of one of the guides and the fastener, while tightening among other elements of the guide and the fastener are also possible. For example, the tightening may occur by interference of the fastener and opposite side walls of the guide.

According to a preferred embodiment, the fastener comprises, or alternatively is formed by, an elongated head, a first elongated neck adjacent thereto, a second neck adjacent to the first neck and a base adjacent the second neck, being it possible that the head and the first neck be introduced, simultaneously, in guides of two consecutive plates and being intended the second collar and the base to be inserted, respectively, into the groove and into the cavity of the guide of a longitudinal profile. Still more preferably, the first collar has, according to a first axis of symmetry, a width smaller than the width of the groove of the guide, and according to said second axis located at 90° it has a width greater than the width of said groove, while the base has as said second axis located at 90° a greater width than the guide groove in which is inserted, such when the fastener is rotated, said axis located at 90° is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide where the base is placed and, due to the greater width of the first collar and the base with respect to the guide groove where the base is introduced, a tightening is produced by the dimensional interference of the fastener with the wall that separates the groove from the cavity of the guide in which the base is placed. A preferred way to obtain this tightening is that the distance between the first neck and the base be slightly smaller than the thickness of cited wall that separates the groove from the cavity of the guide in which the base is placed.

Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it comprises the covering, comprising a fastener with a maximum width of the base, in the first crosscut, is essentially the same, the same or smaller than a width of the groove, allowing the base to be introduced into the cavity through the groove.

According to the preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a covering, comprising a fastener with a width of the second neck, in the first crosscut, is essentially the same or the same as a width of the groove, wherein the fastener is configured to be guided by cooperating guiding surfaces of the second neck and the groove, respectively. More preferably the width of the second neck, in the first crosscut, is in the range of about 90% to about 100% of the width of the groove.

According to a preferred embodiment said dimensional interference comprises cooperating between a first surface of the cavity and a second surface of the base. Said first surface of the cavity may be adjacent to the groove. Said dimensional interference comprises in an embodiment cooperating between a third surface of the groove and a fourth surface of the second neck. Said third surface of the groove is adjacent to the cavity.

According to a preferred embodiment also, a thickness of material of the profile at the groove is greater than the distance between the first neck and the base in order to obtain said dimensional interference.

More preferentially, the base has in respect to the first axis or plan of symmetry, a smaller width than the groove of the guide. This allows inserting of the fastener within any point of the guide, without the need to insert the same from the ends of the guide or other specific points of this latter.

The fastener may be designed as well so that its rotation causes a possible dimensional interference within the guide of the plate. For example, by dimensional interference between the base and the opposed side walls of the cavity of the guide profile, or any other two side walls and/or opposed walls of the guide.

Preferably, each plate has corresponding guides at each of its sides, and the adjacent plates show the arrangement of protrusions and recesses conjugated together. More preferably a certain play is provided between consecutive plates.

The conjugated protrusions and recesses can be arranged either with or without play between plates. The borders of the play may be provided or not with conjugated protrusions and recesses, i.e. eventually with parallel borders between consecutive plates. The play may have the advantage of allowing drainage of water. Drainage of water may be advantageously for outdoor installation of the covering.

For better understanding, drawings are attached by way of explanatory but not limitative example, of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a partially sectioned perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a covering according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section view in which the placement of the fastener joining the various components of the covering is schematically shown.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fastener for the covering according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the fastener of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the introduction of the fastener into the guide of a profile.

FIG. 6 shows a side elevation view corresponding to FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the attachment of the fastener in the guide of a profile.

FIG. 8 shows a side elevation view corresponding to FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 shows a solution to level the elongated profile on which the coating elements or plates are located.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the introduction of a fastener in a second embodiment within the guide of a profile.

FIG. 11 shows a cross section of the guide in which the fastener shown in the previous figure has been introduced into the guide.

FIG. 12 corresponds to the previous figure, in which the fastener has been rotated 90°, showing the dimensional interference with the guide.

FIG. 13 is a partially sectioned perspective view of a second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a sectional view diagrammatically showing the location of the fastener joining together the various components of the covering.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a covering comprising a plurality of covering elements or plates 1, 1′, which rest on elongated profiles, parallel one to another. The plates 1, 1″and the elongated profiles 2 are secured by means of fasteners 3.

Each of the fasteners 3 are placed simultaneously within guides 11, 11′, located on the edges or unseen sides of the plates 1, 1′ and inside guides 21 of the profiles 2 (the arrangement of the guide 21 within profile 2 can be seen in FIG. 7).

Each plate 1, 1′, has respective guides 11, 11′, each one arranged on one side or edge 19, 19′, running longitudinally along the plate.

The guides 11, 11′, show a hollow or cavity. The fastener can enter into the guides 11, 11′ by pressing, or without it.

The guides 21 of the profiles 2 run lengthwise along the profiles, being perpendicular to the guides 11 of the plates 1. Also, the guides 21 of the profiles 2 show a hollow or a cavity 212 which is, in cross section, larger than the groove 211 through which access is gained into the cavity.

At the intersection or crossover points between the guides 11 of the plates 1 and the guides 21 of the profiles 2, fasteners 3 are inserted into the corresponding cavities of the crossing guides 11, 11′, 21, fixing the plates 1 to the structure they hide.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the fastener 3 used in FIGS. 1 and 2. The fastener 3 shown consists of a flat, elongated head 31, whose function is to be inserted into the guides 11, 11′, or side grooves of the plates 1, 1′. Immediately adjacent to the head 31, the fastener 3 has a first collar 32, also elongated, and followed by a second collar 33, of rounded shape and of reduced size in the example shown. A function of the first collar 32 is to cause a dimensional interference with the guide 21 in the locking position of the fastener 3. The longest dimension of the first collar 32 is bigger than the width of the groove 211 that gives access to the cavity 212 of the guide 21 of the elongated profile 2. Also, the shorter dimension of the first collar 32 is also smaller than the width of the groove 211 that gives access to the cavity 212 of the guide 21 of the elongated profile 2. A function of the second neck is to be placed in the groove 211 that gives access to cavity 212 of guide 21 of extended profile 2, with capacity of turn with respect to this one.

After the second neck 33, the fastener has a foot or base 34 of bigger dimensions than the one of the second neck 33. The function of the foot or base 34 is to be placed in the cavity 212 of the guide 21 of the elongated profile 2, with rotational capacity within it.

The fastener is complemented with a through hole 35 in order to possibly put a screw (not in principle necessary) and a groove 36 to split the head 31 into two portions. The non-use of the screw is, however, advantageous, because it allows for faster installation. Furthermore, once installed, the fastener without screw has some capacity to absorb movements, which may be beneficial in the case of expansion of the covering materials. The groove 36 allows a somewhat independent behaviour of each of the head portions 31 inserted into the guides 11, 11′ or side grooves, enabling greater absorption of deformations due to expansion/contraction of materials.

FIGS. 5 to 8 show a process of introducing a fastener 3 into the elongated guide 21 of the profile 2. As shown, the fastener 3 is inserted in longitudinal direction from the beginning of the elongated profile 2. Alternatively, it would also be possible to introduce the fastener vertically, to which end, in this case, some areas with bigger opening of the guide 21 (groove 211, see FIG. 6) could be provided. The fastener 3 is inserted with the head 31 and the first elongated neck 32 aligned longitudinally within the guide 21. That is, the long side of the head 31 is aligned with the guide 21. Due to the dimensions of the second collar 33 and the foot or base 34, the fastener 3 may slide to the desired position (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Once located, it is rotated 90° to align the long side of the head 31 to the position that will have the guide 11 of the plate 1 (not shown in the figures).

This produces a dimensional interference between the fastener 3 and the guide 21. In the case as shown, the dimensional interference causes a tight fit between the space between the first collar 32 and the base 34 of the fastener, and the wall 213 which defines the separation between the groove 211 and the cavity 212 of the guide 21 of the elongated profile 2. This leads to the locking of the fastener in its place. At the same time, the head enters into the guide of the plate already placed. It may also be desirable, or necessary, to finish entering the fastener 3 into the guide or groove of the plate by means of light blows with a hammer or mallet. After fixing the fastener, the consecutive plate may be positioned in place, making the free part of the head 31 to enter into the corresponding guide 11 of the plate which is being introduced. The fastener 3 is preferentially made of any suitable material, preferably a thermoplastic. The profiles 2 will be made preferably out of a thermoplastic material. The plates 1 can be made of any suitable material.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a solution to level the elongated profile 2. A good levelling improves fixing quality of the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 8. In particular, this levelling is accomplished by placing at regular intervals pegs 29, 29′, 29″, 29′″ of different heights, which permits to support the profile 9 when the distance between the support surface and the profile 2 is small. When said distance, due to the inclination of the supporting surface, reaches a certain value, it is possible to place variable height supports 28.

The present invention is applicable both to horizontal surfaces (ceilings, flooring) or to vertical surfaces (walls).

The present invention is valid for plates made out of any kind of material.

The dimensions of the fasteners can be variable, in special the ones in the head 31 in relation, for instance, to the dimensions of the guides 11, 11′. For example, the shape of the head 31 could be substantially squared, or of another type. The shape of the lateral sides or edges 19, 19′ could have no conjugated protrusions and recesses, or no separation could be provided between plates in its upper part 1 y 1′.

FIGS. 10 to 12 show the whole process of introduction of a second embodiment of the fastener 3 into the guide 21 of the elongated profile 2. In FIGS. 9 to 11 the elements are identical or similar to the previous figures and have been designated with identical reference numerals names. In this case, the fastener is introduced perpendicularly to the guide, i.e., vertically. For this reason, unlike in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the fastener can be introduced freely in any point of the guide 21. Hence, in this case, the foot or base 34 is elongated, having, therefore, a short dimension or width and a long dimension or length. In this case, the foot or base in its short dimension presents an inferior width compared to the groove 211 of access to the guide 21. As is to be observed in the figures, in this case, the width of the base 34 is the same as that of the second neck 33, while it has a length which is greater than the width of the said groove 211 of access to the guide 21. In this case, as it may be observed in the figures, the long dimension or length of the foot or base 34 is parallel to the groove 36 that splits the head 31 in two portions.

FIG. 12 shows how the fastener 3 of FIGS. 9 to 12 is assembled with a tight fit or dimensional interference with the guide in this example. In this case, the dimensional interference is produced between the thickness of the wall 213 and the distance or the space of the existing void produced by the first neck 32 and the foot or the base 34, in such a way that produces a resistance by friction to the movement of the fastener along the guide 21.

In this case, the interference is produced by a dimensional tolerance. Interference could also be obtained by means of conjugated shapes. It is also possible to combine different types of dimensional interference simultaneously.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a second embodiment of covering according to the present invention. In the figures, the same or similar elements of the previous figures have been identified with the same numeral references. As it is to be observed, this embodiment shows the use of the fastener 3 shown in FIGS. 10 to 12. In this case, the fastener 3 features longer portions 311, 311′ in its head 31 and are introduced into the corresponding grooves 111, 111′ of the adjacent plates or boards 1, 1′. The edges of the adjacent plates 1, 1′ leave a groove among each other that allows the fastener 3 to be seen from the top.

Multiple variations of the examples shown are possible, as well as the possibility to combine the various elements that have been shown in the preferred embodiments. For example, as a non limitative example, the foot 34 of the fastener in FIGS. 10 to 14 could be used in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, and vice versa. In a not limitative way, the various forms of tightening can also be combined among each other with the multiple shapes of the fasteners shown.

While the present invention has been described relating to several examples of preferred embodiments, these should not be considered limitative of the invention, which will be defined by the broader interpretation of the following claims. 

1. A covering comprising: covering plates, fasteners and longitudinal profiles, wherein: each profile is provided with a guide which is configured to cooperate with respective fasteners, the guide comprises a groove that gives access to a cavity of greater dimensions, in cross section, than the groove, a lateral edge of each plate is provided with a second groove, each fastener is configured to cooperate with the second groove to clamp the plate to the profile, characterized in each fastener has dimensions which permit a rotation between a first position and a second position when the fastener is lodged within said guide, and each fastener comprises a first shape in a first crosscut and a second shape in a second crosscut, while the second shape of the fastener enters in dimensional interference with said guide in the second position and the first shape of the fastener is in the first position displaceable along the profile.
 2. The covering, according to claim 1, wherein the first crosscut is essentially perpendicular to the second crosscut.
 3. The covering according to claim 1, wherein the fastener is made of an injection moulded polymer of PA (nylon), POM, PC, PP, PET or PE.
 4. The covering, according to claim 1, wherein: each fastener comprises a head, a first neck adjacent to the head former, and a second neck adjacent to the first neck and a base adjacent to the second neck, and the second neck and the base being aimed at being introduced, are disposed within the groove and the cavity, respectively, of said guide.
 5. The covering, according to claim 4, wherein a maximum width of the base in the first crosscut is essentially the same or smaller than a width of the groove, allowing the base to be introduced into the cavity through the groove.
 6. The covering, according to claim 4, wherein a width of the second neck in the first crosscut is essentially the same as a width of the groove, and each fastener is configured to be guided by cooperating guiding surfaces of the second neck and the groove, respectively.
 7. The covering, according to claim 6, wherein the width of the second neck in the first crosscut is in the range of about 90% to about 100% of the width of the groove.
 8. The covering, according to claim 4, wherein said dimensional interference comprises cooperating between a first surface of the cavity and a second surface of the base.
 9. The covering, according to claim 8, wherein said first surface of the cavity is adjacent to the groove.
 10. The covering, according to claim 4, wherein said dimensional interference comprises cooperating between a third surface of the groove and a fourth surface of the second neck.
 11. The covering, according to claim 10, wherein said third surface of the groove is adjacent to the cavity.
 12. The covering, according to claim 4, wherein a thickness of material of the profile at the groove is greater than the distance between the first neck and the base in order to obtain said dimensional interference.
 13. The covering, according to claim 1, wherein said dimensional interference is obtained between the fastener and opposite lateral walls of the guide.
 14. The covering, according to claim 1, wherein adjacent plates present an arrangement of protrusions and recesses conjugated to each other.
 15. The covering, according to claim 1, wherein a gap is provided between two adjacent plates in an assembled position.
 16. The covering according to claim 3, wherein the fastener is reinforced by glass fibre, Kevlar fibre, carbon fibre, talk or chalk. 